Costunolide attenuates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in mouse brain slice through inhibiting caspase expression

Background: Costunolide (Co) has anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, and anti-ulcer effects, it has the budding effect of anti-apoptosis. This study was intended to explicate its inhibitory effect on caspase in a mice brain slices injury model. Materials and Methods: The maestro 11.1 software was employed to envisage the binding sites of Co with Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Caspase-7. Oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) method was employed to persuade mouse brain slice injury in vitro. Purpose of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in culture medium and 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining of brain slices for the assessment of injury degree. The expression of Cytochrome c, Caspase-9, Caspase-7, Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax was studied by Western blot method. Results: The results of docking displayed that Co had binding sites withe Caspase-9, Caspase-7, and Caspase-3. Compared with OGD/R, Co could diminution the LDH levels, upsurge the TTC staining intensity, augment Bcl-2 expression level and inhibit Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Caspase-7, Bax, and Cytochrome c expression levels. Conclusion: These results recommended that Co has latent neuroprotective activities by inhibiting caspase expression.